The dust has settled on the West Ham v Everton match, kind of. However, from that match, a new narrative appears and it’s spreading a whole new light and story on the Hammers midfield.
At the beginning of the season, the stories around the West ham midfield were talking about how much depth there was or how much potential we might see. After the past few weeks, specifically Crystal Palace and Everton, the narrative has switched to something much more concerning.
The reasons for the changed narrative all revolve around the lack of heart and output that has come from that position. Moreover, the names involved are shocking, yet true. With the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals, and Jack Wilshere.
However, now with the performances like this and the need for a change, what should Manuel Pellegrini do? It was evident that he was upset after the Everton match stating that he would change all 11 if he could have. But who would be the replacement for the current starter in Lanzini?
Wilshere is a Premier League veteran with plenty of experience but so far this season, it hasn’t shown at all. Fornals came to West Ham with a lot of high praise and performances to boot following his impressive outing at Villarreal and the Spanish U21 European Cup squad. However, his time in East London hasn’t been as successful.
Behind those two, you have the Scottish McMessi, Robert Snodgrass. Although he might not have the same flash and flare as those other two names, Snoddy has something else, heart. If he is healthy and ready to come back, this match against Sheffield United could be a potential starting off point for the Scotsman.
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If you continue to go down the rabbit hole that is the West Ham central midfield, you would then possibly find Conor Coventry, Joe Powell, and on loan, Josh Cullen. That’s something to be excited about for the future but in no disrespect to them, not the now.
Lanzini has the pace over all three of the other potential suitors, but he isn’t as strong. His finishing abilities rival Wilshere but are probably still better than Snoddy and Fornals. With all this in mind, the truth still remains the same, Lanzini isn’t performing well but are his backups any better?
The club and its fans have historically been somewhere that as long as you play hard and play for the badge you can start no matter your skills or abilities. With this now changed the narrative, maybe that is exactly what is needed for the Hammers. Co-site expert, Adam Smith, decided that maybe a formation change might be needed and he might not be wrong.
If the midfield isn’t performing at the level where they should be, then maybe that change is needed. Whatever the case is, the Hammers staff and players need to figure it out and quick if they have any hope of turning around these early-season woes.